Jammu, Apr 03: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devender Singh Rana on Wednesday criticised the Congress for its “murky games” in Jammu and Kashmir post-1947.
During this period, he said the region witnessed “a myriad of political manoeuvres characterised by intrigue, betrayal and manipulation in active connivance with its local political allies in different avatars from time to time”.
Speaking at a series of meetings in Panchayat Amb Upper, Amb Lower, Ghaink, and Doomi in Amb Gharota Mandal, Rana said, “From the 1963 Kamraj Plan to the Khaliq DC model of MLAs, and from the 1984 G.M. Shah-sponsored coup to the 1987 rigged elections, the Congress has been complicit in undermining the stability of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in grave consequences for the nation.”
He alleged that manipulation of democratic processes, especially through rigged elections, coercive tactics, and regional imbalances, became common strategies employed by political actors to assert control over the state. This, in turn, fueled separatist sentiments and provided a breeding ground for terrorism and radical ideologies, he said.
The collusion between political elites and external forces perpetuated a culture of governance marred by corruption and nepotism, leaving ordinary citizens marginalised and disenchanted, he added.
The BJP leader said various segments of society, including Valmikis, West Pakistan refugees, Paharis, Gujjar and Bakerwals, Scheduled Castes, and other marginalised groups, experienced discrimination and neglect under the Congress-led regimes. However, he expressed optimism about the transformative changes ushered in after the revocation of Article 370 on August 5 and 6, 2019, which extended the application of Central laws to Jammu and Kashmir, aligning it more closely with the rest of the country.
Highlighting the contrast between the past and present, Rana said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been a shift towards inclusive development, infrastructure enhancement, educational and healthcare reforms, and accountability in governance.” He urged the people to embrace inclusivity and support the BJP’s political philosophy for a more equitable and peaceful future for Jammu and Kashmir.
“As we bid farewell to the era of violence, corruption, and misgovernance, it is crucial to recognise the progress made in recent years, guided by the principles of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’,” the BJP leader remarked, calling for continued efforts to break free from the shackles of the past and pave the way for a brighter future for the region.
